A new legal report reveals Denmark's pre-trial detention periods have nearly doubled since 2018. Detainees now wait an average of 6.2 months before trial, up from 3.3 months previously.
The findings come from legal organizations Justitia and the Danish Bar and Law Society. Their joint study shows Denmark maintains one of Europe's highest pre-trial detention rates.
Mikele Schultz-Knudsen, a legal director at Justitia, expressed concern about this development. 'The foundation of justice is that people go to prison after being convicted, not before,' she said in the report. 'These individuals might be innocent and never convicted at all.'
Social educator Emil Engel experienced six months of pre-trial detention for a drug case. He described the mental toll of uncertainty and isolation.
'You're confined alone 23 hours daily in most detention facilities,' Engel explained. 'Every basic need requires pressing a button and waiting for available guards. The constant isolation and not knowing your future becomes psychologically destructive.'
Denmark has consistently ranked among Europe's highest users of pre-trial detention. The country significantly outpaces its Nordic neighbors in both detention rates and duration.
The report proposes concrete solutions to address the growing problem. Recommendations include setting maximum detention periods at 50% of expected sentences and implementing mandatory judicial reviews every three months.
Andrew Hjuler Crichton of the Danish Bar and Law Society emphasized the resource implications. 'Nearly one-third of all Danish prisoners are pre-trial detainees,' he noted. 'Reducing these numbers would ease pressure on our overburdened prison system.'
Political response appears cautiously receptive. Maria Durhuus, legal spokesperson for the ruling Social Democrats, acknowledged the need for action. 'We want to explore alternatives like electronic monitoring and faster case processing,' she stated, though stopped short of endorsing specific proposals.
International human rights bodies have repeatedly criticized Denmark's detention practices. The situation represents a clear challenge to both legal protections and prison resources that requires immediate political attention.
Legal experts agree the extended waiting periods undermine the presumption of innocence while straining a system already facing resource constraints.